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Senators warn George Brandis to correct record on Bell matter – politics live Senators warn George Brandis to correct record on Bell matter – politics live
(35 minutes later)
12.04am GMT
00:04
Cartoonist Bill Leak could have ended 18C complaint earlier, says Gillian Triggs
Paul Karp
Derryn Hinch has been quizzing the Australian Human Rights Commission about why it didn’t terminate the 18C complaint against Bill Leak because of the defences in 18D, which include that the publication was in good faith.
Triggs reveals that the AHRC gave Bill Leak two opportunities to assert that he had drawn the cartoon in good faith.
Had he responded by making that point, [the commission] would almost certainly have ended that matter precisely at that moment.
This is significant testimony because it shows - far from being a systemic failing of AHRC to consider the defences in 18D to protect free speech - the case could demonstrate that Bill Leak refused to defend himself in order to campaign against the prohibition on speech that offends, insults, vilifies or humiliates a person based on race.
12.01am GMT
00:01
Under Labor questioning, communications minister Mitch Fifield says Ahmed Fahour was appointed under a Labor government, with a contract negotiated under a Labor government and his most substantial pay increases occurred under a Labor government.
He says the Coalition is the one who has brought in changes that will mean the Australia Post salary will be governed by the Remuneration Tribunal.
11.57pm GMT
23:57
George Brandis accuses Gillian Triggs of hiding on QUT case
Paul Karp
Attorney general George Brandis has had an exchange with HRC president Gillian Triggs. It comes after Triggs repeats her evidence given to another committee that the reason the AHRC didn’t contact the students earlier because the complaint appeared to be substantially against the university, and both the complainant and uni did not want the students informed until the case had a chance to settle.
In his evidence Brandis said that was not good enough:
The complaint against the university relied as one of its key material grounds upon statements allegedly made by the students.
So in progressing the complaint against the university, [the complainant] was materially accusing these students of making racist statements – that’s a serious thing to allege.
I would’ve thought that the principles of natural justice require that they be made aware of that allegation.
Brandis said it was “artificial to hide behind the form” of the complaint as being one against the university. He said that for an “unacceptably long period of time” AHRC failed to inform the students of the complaint against them.
Updated
at 11.58pm GMT
11.49pm GMT
23:49
In George Brandis’ committee, they are going over chapter and verse on the Human Rights Commission and the QUT case.
Delay, delay, delay.
At this rate, there will be no grilling of Brandis on the Bell matter before the dinner break either.
11.35pm GMT
23:35
In the past few weeks, defence industry minister and South Australian Christopher Pyne has been pushing the energy barrow.
The ABC’s Andrew Greene reported on February 7:
Australia’s future submarine and naval ship building projects are at risk because of the unreliability of energy supply in South Australia, defence industry minister Christopher Pyne has warned.
Mr Pyne has told parliament the Department of Defence had advised him separate power generation and fuel storage would need to be built at Adelaide’s Osborne ship and submarine yard.
Senator Nick Xenophon has questioned Stuart Whiley, the interim head of the government shipbuilder ASC, about the need for stable power.
Xenophon:
Minister Pyne has announced a multimillion power source for Techport – up until now your company has not seen the need to install such power supply is that right?
Whiley:
Uh, well, we’re not in the business of generating power.
Xenophon:
No.
Whiley:
No.
Xenophon:
But increasingly a lot of businesses in South Australia are. Whether they like it or not. It’s not a criticism. So, in terms of the … when is that power – that alternative power supply – coming online? Do you know?
Whiley:
I don’t know anything about the alternative power supply that minister Pyne referred to.
Updated
at 11.40pm GMT
11.15pm GMT11.15pm GMT
23:1523:15
Boom.Boom.
The committee will probably get to more Bell matter questions at 5pm, when the attorney general’s department is on. Strangely, the controversial stuff like Bell and NBNCo is on late. Presumably tonight we will see some questioning on NBNCo chief executive Bill Morrow’s salary but that won’t be until after dinner, when news services are at their lowest staffing capacity.The committee will probably get to more Bell matter questions at 5pm, when the attorney general’s department is on. Strangely, the controversial stuff like Bell and NBNCo is on late. Presumably tonight we will see some questioning on NBNCo chief executive Bill Morrow’s salary but that won’t be until after dinner, when news services are at their lowest staffing capacity.
UpdatedUpdated
at 11.23pm GMTat 11.23pm GMT
11.10pm GMT11.10pm GMT
23:1023:10
UpdatedUpdated
at 11.23pm GMTat 11.23pm GMT
11.09pm GMT11.09pm GMT
23:0923:09
11.03pm GMT11.03pm GMT
23:0323:03
Paul KarpPaul Karp
Senator Ian Macdonald has been grilling the race discrimination commissioner, Tim Soutphommasane, about whether he had any role in the Bill Leak section 18C racial discrimination complaint.Senator Ian Macdonald has been grilling the race discrimination commissioner, Tim Soutphommasane, about whether he had any role in the Bill Leak section 18C racial discrimination complaint.
Soutphommasane explains that he was asked in the media about the Leak cartoon and he explained how a person could lodge a complaint with the Australian Human Rights Commission and the free speech exemptions in section 18D that would apply. But that was the extent of his involvement.Soutphommasane explains that he was asked in the media about the Leak cartoon and he explained how a person could lodge a complaint with the Australian Human Rights Commission and the free speech exemptions in section 18D that would apply. But that was the extent of his involvement.
He said:He said:
I gave advice to no one. I had no involvement whatsoever. I don’t deal with complaints.I gave advice to no one. I had no involvement whatsoever. I don’t deal with complaints.
Soutphommasane explained that the president has oversight of complaints and he, as race discrimination commissioner, had no contact with the Aboriginal Legal Service on this matter, nor the complainant, Melissa Dinnison, nor “any of the people involved”.Soutphommasane explained that the president has oversight of complaints and he, as race discrimination commissioner, had no contact with the Aboriginal Legal Service on this matter, nor the complainant, Melissa Dinnison, nor “any of the people involved”.
UpdatedUpdated
at 11.11pm GMTat 11.11pm GMT
11.00pm GMT11.00pm GMT
23:0023:00
Pauline Hanson rejects any suggestion her attack in the Senate regarding the charity donation to an Islamic cause was motivated by racism.Pauline Hanson rejects any suggestion her attack in the Senate regarding the charity donation to an Islamic cause was motivated by racism.
.@PaulineHansonOz has slammed @samdastyari for suggesting the ousting of Ahmed Fahour was motivated by racism. #pmlive #auspol pic.twitter.com/endABls4X5.@PaulineHansonOz has slammed @samdastyari for suggesting the ousting of Ahmed Fahour was motivated by racism. #pmlive #auspol pic.twitter.com/endABls4X5
UpdatedUpdated
at 11.11pm GMTat 11.11pm GMT
10.56pm GMT10.56pm GMT
22:5622:56
Richard Di Natale asks whether Mitch Fifield agrees with Pauline Hanson’s criticisms that Ahmed Fahour didn’t need his high salary because he gave over $2m to the Islamic Museum of Australia.Richard Di Natale asks whether Mitch Fifield agrees with Pauline Hanson’s criticisms that Ahmed Fahour didn’t need his high salary because he gave over $2m to the Islamic Museum of Australia.
The government comments were not a measure of Fahour’s ethnicity and faith, says Fifield.The government comments were not a measure of Fahour’s ethnicity and faith, says Fifield.
UpdatedUpdated
at 11.12pm GMTat 11.12pm GMT
10.49pm GMT10.49pm GMT
22:4922:49
The Greens leader, Richard Di Natale, wants to know what effect the effective pay reduction will be for Australia Post.The Greens leader, Richard Di Natale, wants to know what effect the effective pay reduction will be for Australia Post.
This goes to the government’s argument that the former managing director Ahmed Fahour’s pay was too high.This goes to the government’s argument that the former managing director Ahmed Fahour’s pay was too high.
The communications minister, Mitch Fifield, said he was confident the remuneration tribunal settings would attract the right people.The communications minister, Mitch Fifield, said he was confident the remuneration tribunal settings would attract the right people.
Di Natale’s point is that if the government says they can attract the right people under lower levels, why not set all executive salaries at a lower rate?Di Natale’s point is that if the government says they can attract the right people under lower levels, why not set all executive salaries at a lower rate?
UpdatedUpdated
at 10.57pm GMTat 10.57pm GMT
10.39pm GMT10.39pm GMT
22:3922:39
Re the Baird appointment:Re the Baird appointment:
There are a few governments that could do with a chief customer officer #auspolThere are a few governments that could do with a chief customer officer #auspol
10.31pm GMT10.31pm GMT
22:3122:31
In a completely unrelated matter, here is a photo of the health minister, Greg Hunt, getting healthy.In a completely unrelated matter, here is a photo of the health minister, Greg Hunt, getting healthy.
UpdatedUpdated
at 10.41pm GMTat 10.41pm GMT
10.27pm GMT
22:27
Dastyari is questioning communications minister Mitch Fifield et al about the processes for remuneration for the head of NBNCo.
NBNCo chief Bill Morrow is on a salary package that amounted to $3.6m last year.
Fifield is asked for some guiding principles on remuneration.
Fifield said there had been a conscious approach by the government and parliaments that politicians shouldn’t determine the pay for senior people in the public sector.
(Except that politicians just did determine the pay for Ahmed Fahour.)
Updated
at 10.40pm GMT
10.19pm GMT
22:19
Surprise, surprise.
Mike Baird, former NSW Premier, now a NAB executive a month after leaving politics pic.twitter.com/FeN26Edpjp
10.18pm GMT
22:18
The Labor senator Sam Dastyari is questioning the communications minister, Mitch Fifield, and the secretary of the communications department, Heather Mitchell, on the pay package for former Australia Post chief Ahmed Fahour.
Fifield, Mitchell and deputy secretary Ian Robinson tell the committee they had no knowledge of Fahour’s salary at the last Senate estimates. They all say they only knew what was in the public domain. (Like the rest of us.)
Updated
at 10.22pm GMT
10.09pm GMT
22:09
George Brandis agrees to statement, LNP chair Macdonald heads it off
George Brandis says while he did not want to make a statement, he was willing, given he had been asked by a group of senators.
Chair Ian Macdonald does not know anything about it.
Labor senators say Brandis is willing to explain, let him.
Macdonald suggests a private meeting.
Macdonald is being terse.
Penny Wong says,
May I finish. A little courtesy would be appropriate.
Get onto your point of order, barks Macdonald. We have the agenda set already. Witnesses are from Sydney and need to get home.
Macdonald cuts the public vision to have a confab.
Then it comes back with some sort of agreement to proceed with the committee and NOT hear the Brandis statement.
Updated
at 10.10pm GMT
10.04pm GMT
22:04
In the communications estimates committee, Australia Post is first up. That will also be worth watching.
10.03pm GMT
22:03
Now to estimates info.
Aforementioned George is in the legal and constitutional affairs committee at 9am.
The departments will be rolled through this committee, including the attorney general, with the Human Rights Commission first up. That means Gillian Triggs, the president of the HRC.
Then the federal court, the family court, the information commissioner and the Administrative Appeals Tribunal, where a lot of ex-politicians, mates and party hacks go to deflate.
The chair is Queensland LNP tub-thumper senator Ian Macdonald.
Updated
at 10.08pm GMT
9.53pm GMT
21:53
Updated
at 10.11pm GMT
9.42pm GMT
21:42
George Brandis asked by Senate to explain inconsistency in Bell matter
As estimates committees continue, the attorney general, George Brandis, is in a spot of bother about his previous statements to the Senate on the Bell matter.
This relates to conflicting accounts over whether or not there was a deal between the federal and Western Australian governments in 2015, which would have cost the Australian Taxation Office $300m.
Brandis told the Senate he did not believe there was a deal between the commonwealth and the Western Australian government over litigation surrounding the collapsed Bell Group – and, if there was any such agreement, he had no knowledge of it.
Here is what he told the Senate last year:
The first personal involvement I recall having in the matter was on 3rd March this year, although my office had been dealing with the matter prior to that time.
On that day, I had a visit from the honourable Christian Porter, the minister for social services. Mr Porter had of course been the treasurer and attorney general in the WA government and was familiar with its attempts to bring the Bell winding up to a conclusion.
He told me that on 2 March 2016 his office had received an email from the WA state solicitor containing a summary briefing and slide show of the history of the matter as well as copies of the exchange of letters between Dr Nahan and Mr [Joe] Hockey.
Mr Porter explained to me the background of the WA government’s attempt to end the Bell winding up. He offered the view that a statutory scheme to bring the winding up to a swifter conclusion and with a better return to creditors was in principle a good thing. However, he noted that he had not been involved in any discussions between Mr Hockey’s office and WA ministers.
He had not had the time or resources to form a view on the constitutional or revenue aspects of the WA legislation. He suggested I speak to the attorney general of WA, Mr Mischin, which I subsequently did.
My first conversation with Mr Mischin, which also involved Dr Nahan, was at about midday eastern time the following day, Friday, 4 March. They gave me the WA government’s perspective of its dealings with Mr Hockey. Apart from the mention made of the matter by Mr Porter the previous evening, this was the first time I became aware of Mr Hockey’s dealings with the WA government.
But this was before the ever watchful Andrew Probyn, of 7.30, reported Brandis actually knew one month earlier.
Now the Senate – Labor, Greens, Nick Xenophon and Derryn Hinch – want Brandis to correct the record. The combination of senators make a majority. Luckily for them, Brandis is appearing in the estimates committee at 9am.
Updated
at 10.13pm GMT
9.21pm GMT
21:21
Paul Karp
In an interview with Radio National the deputy prime minister, Barnaby Joyce, has denied a report he wants control of $50bn of infrastructure spending by taking the infrastructure and transport portfolio.
On Tuesday the Australian reported that Joyce had been in discussions to take the portfolio off fellow his Nationals MP Darren Chester because he is concerned the government is not selling its achievements in regional areas.
Chester said it wasn’t true and a spokesman for Joyce said he didn’t comment on cabinet speculation.
On Radio National, Joyce said:
I don’t know where that story came from but it certainly didn’t come from me.
Asked if it was true, Joyce said no because he was happy with the agriculture portfolio.
Joyce listed the Coalition’s program for regional Australia including $2.5bn for dams, construction of inland rail and reduction of trade barriers to Indonesia for sugar and cattle.
I’m a very happy guy!
Updated
at 10.13pm GMT
9.08pm GMT
21:08
Good morning clowns, punks and hippies,
It has already been a difficult year for Malcolm Turnbull. Christmas and January were a bit of debacle as a result of the political death of his health minister, Sussan Ley. Since then Tony Abbott and his fellow Deplorables have been throwing incendiaries from the sidelines and Cory Bernardi guaranteed the first sitting day would be interesting, in the Chinese sense of the word.
Leadership today must feel like the crew at La La Land. The winner is … Malcolm Turnbull. Not.
But the Guardian’s Essential poll is not as brutal for the government as the Newspoll yesterday, though it has the same trend. It shows Labor leading the Coalition on the two-party preferred measure 53% to 47%, a one-point movement from last week’s survey.
Katharine Murphy reports:
Malcolm Turnbull is rated by Australian voters as intelligent and hardworking but he also scores highly on some key negatives – like being out of touch with ordinary people, and arrogant, according to the latest Guardian Essential poll.
The new survey suggests the prime minister’s negatives have crept up since the same questions were asked last September. Turnbull is now considered less visionary (down 5%) and more narrow-minded (up 3%).
He has also lost ground on intelligent, good in a crisis, trustworthy and more honest than most politicians – which are all down 3%.
By contrast, the Labor leader, Bill Shorten, is considered by voters to be hardworking (61%) and intelligent (60%) and people think he understands the problems facing Australia (48%).
But voters are more likely now than they were last September to think he is intolerant (up 3%) and his rating for visionary is down 3%.
But there is bad news for Tony Abbott. As Peter Lewis of Essential says:
Even with Turnbull’s steady decline in personal regard, Abbott’s numbers are significantly worse – net 20% higher on erratic, net 16 on aggressive, net 18 on narrow-minded,” he said. “In terms of positives, Turnbull is up 10 points on vision, 10 on capability and a whopping 21 points on intelligence.”
But Abbott does have friends. Cory Bernardi has invited his former leader to join him at his Australian Conservatives party.
“I was watching [Tony Abbott] last week and I was talking to the TV saying, ‘Where were you all those years ago, Tony?’ because those ideas are absolutely spot on,” Bernardi said on Monday night.
Bernardi said conservatives needed to campaign on a platform of cutting power prices, “trimming” immigration and cutting government spending – and, if the government resisted, “what hope is there for the Liberal party?”
He said conservatives sick of the government’s lack of action on those issues could come to the “warm, welcoming embrace of Australian Conservatives ... Tony Abbott included”.
The big news item in the political day will be the joint committee report into section 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act – expected later in the day. As Katharine Murphy reported yesterday,
Parliament’s joint committee on human rights is moving towards producing a unanimous bipartisan report on controversial changes to the Racial Discrimination Act that will float a range of potential reform options for the Turnbull government to consider – but stop short of making concrete recommendations.
In the parliament, debate will surround the omnibus savings and childcare bill as well as the accompanying national disability insurance scheme special savings fund. Remember the omnibus bill includes $1.6bn in extra funding for childcare and more than $3bn in increased payments (to NDIS) along with almost $8bn in welfare spending cuts.
Having bought tickets to the circus, the Daily Telegraph has declared Australia’s politicians a bunch of clowns.
Front page of The Daily Telegraph #auspol pic.twitter.com/q1XAg9swtX
Mike Bowers is down watching some sporting doings between politicians and press. Talk to us in the thread or on the Twits, @gabriellechan and @mpbowers. Or if you prefer Facebook, talk to me here.
Updated
at 10.15pm GMT